2003 Mitsubishi Galant Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 9%of 126 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant, 9% of the 126 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The horn which is part of the airbag stayed on when I used my keyless entry remote to lock the car. I had to hit the horn button in the steering wheel to make it stop. The horn once again became stuck the next day when I honked my horn on the freeway to prevent a car from colliding with me as they tried to switch lanes. I could not get the horn to shut off this time and had to pull over to pull out the fuse. I plugged in the fuse when I arrived home and the horn came right back on. I then used a rubber mallet to tap around the horn button and steering wheel which finally stopped the horn. …”
NHTSA complaint #10712563, filed 2015-04, 111,126 miles“While driving home from work on friday, 4/20/2007 in my 2003 Mitsubishi Galant; I passed out behind the wheel from improper blood pressure medication causing my blood pressure to become too low. I apparently drove off the road onto a businesses property and struck the signs in the front yard. My insurance company has totaled my vehicle and says that based on the damage done to the car I must have been traveling at 35 MPH upon impact and neither airbag deployed!”
NHTSA complaint #10189519, filed 2007-05, 65,000 miles“I was driving at 33 MPH on a main street when car on my right goes through stop sign and drives into my car. He hit the front of my car near, but not including, the passenger door. After impact (he never brake) he continued to move my car with his thereby folding the front of my car in half, taking off front wheels, fenders and bumper, gas tank (smoking but not on fire), and moving my car two lanes to the left via impact and push. No air bags deployed. Driver's door, mine, would not open. Seat belt pulled in very tight. Impact slammed my chest, knee and ankle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10534802, filed 2013-08, 22,500 miles“Air bags didn't come out when accident occurred, there is smoke coming from exhaust not something is eating the gas up there is leakage coming from engine, oil, and radiator (unknown areas).”
NHTSA complaint #10586268, filed 2014-05, 177,759 miles“The driver owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant. While driving 55 MPH, the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle struck an embankment and a power pole before rolling over a couple of times. The vehicle was smashed and dented all over, but the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The driver was killed at the scene. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 66,803.”
NHTSA complaint #10259677, filed 2009-02, 66,803 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 11% |
| 2010 | 3 | 33% |
| 2009 | 10 | 63% |
| 2008 | 1 | 17% |
| 2007 | 8 | 33% |
| 2006 | 5 | 21% |
| 2005 | 2 | 8% |
| 2004 | 6 | 10% |
| 2003 | 11 | 9% |
| 2002 | 17 | 13% |
| 2001 | 31 | 21% |
| 2000 | 11 | 8% |
| 1999 | 12 | 6% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1996 | 20 | 15% |
| 1995 | 30 | 14% |
| 1994 | 35 | 18% |
| 1993 | 2 | 22% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
46 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsEngine
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology